Frances Day-Stirk was elected as President of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) in June 2011, following a three-year term as Vice President.

A midwife for over 30 years, Jamaica-born Frances received her professional education in the United Kingdom, having initially trained as a nurse. Her experience spans midwifery clinical practice, education and maternity service management.

She is a member of the Executive Management Team of the Royal College of Midwives in the United Kingdom, holding the post of RCM Director of Learning Research and Practice Development.

Her professional interests include organisation of maternity services, homebirth, promoting normality, new born care and global maternal and newborn health safe motherhood. She has published widely and presented at conferences locally, nationally and internationally.

On a personal note she has three children who were all born at home.

ICM is the sole voice representing over 250,000 midwives globally, with 108 midwifery association members in 98 countries. It is an accredited international non-governmental association. Frances plays an active lead role in the governance of ICM. Along with members of the ICM board she holds responsibility for its development, viability and achieving its mission.